Network Rail trialling drones near Doncaster to speed up its response to flooding

Network Rail's trialling drones near Doncaster to speed up its response to flooding and storms on the railway.

The aerial views are being used to check for damage and monitor water levels, helping bosses decide quickly whether trains can keep running.

The firm says similar drone use elsewhere in the country has already saved around a hundred thousand pounds.

John Grainger, joint head of performance, Network Rail East Coast & LNER, said:

“Severe weather can make parts of the railway difficult to reach at times when we most need accurate information to help our teams make the best decisions for our customers and colleagues. Drones have the potential to give a much quicker view of what is happening, whether that means checking for damage following high winds or monitoring water levels during flooding.

“Drone tests have shown that they can support and complement our expert engineers and more traditional inspection methods, providing an extra pair of eyes during challenging times.

“We want to deliver the best service that we can for our customers as they travel by train. Embracing technology like this helps us keep everyone safe and allows us to get trains moving as quickly as possible after disruption.”